N. Korea fires ballistic missile into East Sea

[Yonhap News Photo]

SEOUL -- Without verifying the missile type, the South Korean military authorities reported that North Korea has fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea. The unspecified missile was launched by Pyongyang, 17 days after firing two short-range ballistic missiles on March 27. This is the ninth missile launch committed by Pyeongyang only in 2023.

The missile detected by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) was fired near Pyongyang at 7:23 a.m. on April 13. The ballistic missile fell into the East Sea after flying about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). Along with the U.S. intelligence authorities, South Korea is analyzing detailed information on the missile.

The South Korean military is assuming that the launched projectile could be a solid ballistic missile of medium range or longer.

The Japanese government issued an evacuation warning in Hokkaido at 7:55 a.m. on the same day. However, the warning was withdrawn at 8:16, after confirming that the possibility of the missile falling in or around Hokkaido disappeared.

Amid 'Freedom Shield,' an 11-day joint drill between South Korea and the U.S. that ended on March 23, the two countries initiated a landing exercise involving Marine troops and Navy forces from both sides on March 20.

Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, earlier warned that military responses against the North's strategic weapon tests conducted outside the U.S. jurisdiction will be considered a declaration of war on her country. She is currently serving as the vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Kim Joo-heon jhkim123@ajunews.com

N. Korea fires ballistic missile into East Sea

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